Civil War Washington

CASE 1881.—Private M. Poquett, Co. A, 33d New York, aged 30 years, was wounded at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863. Surgeon D. E. Dickerson, of the regiment, recorded the injury as "Gunshot fracture of right forearm," and the man's transfer to General Hospital May 7th. On the following day the patient entered Douglas Hospital, Washington, whence Assistant Surgeon W. Thomson furnished the following history: "He was struck by a bullet, which passed through his right arm, fracturing the radius, and then caused a flesh wound over the ninth rib. At time of admission had diffused erysipelas extending to the shoulder, which yielded to local use of tincture of iodine, etc. There was copious discharge from the arm. On the 19th, the erysipelas recurred, and was successfully treated by one-drop doses of bromine internally. His general condition, however, was improving, and on the 21st he suffered from dyspnœa and pain in the chest. This increased rapidly, and was supposed to be due to acute capillary bronchitis. He finally died, on June 22, 1863. Autopsy: There were adhesions in the right pleural cavity, with serum in both pleural cavities. The mucous membrane lining the bronchial tubes was strongly injected; both lungs seemed to be much congested, sinking in water, but with no hepatization. A fracture of the radius, surrounded by a fibrous investment and in a fair way to be united, was found, which is now forwarded." The specimen is represented in the adjacent wood-cut (FIG. 671), and shows a few necrosed splinters entangled in the callus that was thrown out.